EU export licence bookings were 422,000 tonnes during July 1 – August 24, of which 360,000 tonnes in the EU-15 and 62,000 tonnes in the new member countries. At the pace of the July/August fixations the total for the crop year would arrive at 2.33 million tonnes for the EU-15, but admittedly such a figure is very hypothetical so early in the campaign. It is impossible to make any prediction for the new countries.

The Czech Republic booked 34,000 tonnes in May/June, but only 9,000 tonnes in July/August. Slovakia reportedly fixed 30,000 tonnes in May/June in Austria, as their own administration was not yet operational.

EU malt export statistics for 2003 are regrettably incorrect or at least very doubtful, according to some market analysts. Total exports to third countries were as per Euromalt 2,244,558 tonnes but as per Eurostat 2,520,796 tonnes. The biggest difference in country figures exists for Belgium. Euromalt exports 328,235 tonnes Eurostat exports 721,292 tonnes. Euromalt has probably not considered French exports, customs-cleared in Belgian ports, e.g. 121,000 tonnes for the Philippines. Total exports to Brazil (as per Eurostat) were 306,000 tons, of which 163.000 tonnes from Belgium, which are considered far too high by the relevant services (port silos, forwarders). Customs offices and national licence authorities have “confirmed” Eurostat figures for their respective countries.

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